BART's model for new train cars going on a Bay Area tour

A life-size model of BART's train car of the future will tour the Bay Area, making 10 stops over four weeks so the public can have a last say on design before car manufacturing begins.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit District has scheduled the viewings at or near transit stations or centers between April 16 and May 9 in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

Car builder Bombardier Transportation has constructed a model of about half a train car, which will be trucked to the viewing sites.

People who check out the cars will be asked to complete a written survey afterward, said BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost.

BART is giving a sneak preview of its "Fleet of the Future" new train car model. (BART photo)

Bombardier is scheduled in 2015 to deliver its first 10 train cars for 18 months of test runs. The first 140 new train cars are scheduled to go into service in 2017, with the entire fleet to be replaced by 2021.

The new cars will have quieter doors, more efficient air conditioning, padded seats with stronger back support, chairs with easier-to-clean fabric, and onboard digital screens to give transit information.

The tour stops are at:

San Francisco: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 16, at Justin Herman Plaza near the Embarcadero station.

West Oakland: 2 to 7 p.m. April 18 at the West Oakland BART station on Seventh Street.

Fremont: 2 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Fremont BART station

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Pittsburg: 2 to 7 p.m. April 23 at the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station.

San Francisco: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25 at the Civic Center Plaza near the BART Civic Center station on Fulton Street.

Berkeley: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 29 at BART's North Berkeley station on Sacramento Street.

Milpitas/San Jose: 2 to 7 p.m. May 2 at the Great Mall Main Transit Center on Great Mall Parkway and South Main Street, Milpitas.

Dublin/Pleasanton: 2 to 7 p.m. May 5 at BART's Dublin/Pleasanton station accessible from Iron Horse Parkway in Dublin and Owens Drive in Pleasanton.

Oakland: 2 to 7 p.m. May 7 at BART's Fruitvale station off 38th Avenue.